Two-speed phonograph turntable drive



TWOjSPEED PHONOGRAPH TURNTABLE DRIVE Fld May l, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l anch 23, E948. l R. G. METZNER 2,438,265

TWO-SPEED PHONOGRAPH TURNTABLE DRIVE Filed May 1, 1946 sheets-Sheet 2 March 23, R. G' METZNER TWO-SPEED PHONOGRAPH TURNTABLE DRIVE Filed May 1, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l INVENTOR.

March 23, 1948. R. G., METZNER 2,438,265

TWO-SPEED PHONOGRAPH TURNTABLE DRIVE Filed May 1, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 23, 1948. R. G. 'METZNER TWO-SPEED PHONOGRAPH TURNTABLE DRIVE Filed May l, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. WMMWM.

Patented Mar. 23, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT ortica A g 2,438,265' l l 'rwosraan rnonoonarn TURNTABLE naive Robert G. Metlner, Los Angeles. Calif., assigner to The General Industries Company, Elyria, Ohio, a corporation oi Ohio Application May 1, 194e, serial No. 666,313

(o1. 'i4-19o) V form of friction-type phonograph turntable driving mechanism whereby the friction wheel, while maintaining frictional engagement with an annular surface of a pendant turntable flange. may be alternatively adjusted to alternatively engage either of two roller steps disposed at different levels, said adjustment being, in every case, achieved by movement of a manually operable controller movable in a, single uniform path to cause said idler wheel to be moved in proper sequence outwardly from a pre-engaged roller step, then vertically to the level of the other roller step, and finally, horizontally to engage the alternate roller step to vary the driving ratio between said roller and turntable.

An object of my invention is to achieve a change-speed operation in a friction drive mechanism of the type referred to, which will achieve the desired purpose in a simple, reliable, expeditiou-s and effective manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism for alternately moving a single idler wheel, which is disposed intermediately of the phonograph turntable flange and the driving roller whereby said idler wheel may be frictionally engaged with said flange and, alternately, with two superposed driving roller por,- tions which are of different diameters.

Another object of my invention is to achieve each and every of the foregoing objects in an improved manner in a mechanism which can be produced in quantities at minimum cost.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism for adapting the floatof uniform nature, manually applied to a'hand ing idler carrier of the type shown in a co-pend- .be moved from engagement with either of the two steps afforded by said roller, then displaced to the level of the alternate roller step, and subsequently engaged with said alternate roller step, and wherein all said idler wheel movements are achieved responsive to a continuous movement controller, such movement of the operating portion of said controller in either of two alternate directions being in a path of -uniform nature throughout.

Other objects of my invention and the invention itself will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of vmy invention secured to a mounting plate exposed to view by assuming the cutaway of all other portions of a superposed turntable from a remaining mere fragment of its pendant flangel f portion, the latter being shown as engaged by the idler wheel. of thesaid embodiment, an end portion of said mounting plate also being broken away:

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. i;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of certain of the apparatus illustrated in plan in Fig. 1, the view being taken on the step line of section 3--3 of Fig. 1, a showing of the turntable being omitted;

Figs. 1, 2v and 3 illustrate the idler friction wheel in a relatively lowermost adjusted position to simultaneously engage the larger step of the motor driven driving roller and the inner annular K surface of the turntable flange;

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a, manually operable con-- foregoing ngures with the parts assuming thel midway position' occasioned by movement of the manual controlling lever. of the foregoing figures. from the position indicated by the numeral 18 midway to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1 designated by the numerals 33, said numerals, in each case, representing two common respectively high and low turntable speeds;

Figs. 8 and 9 are views, respectively, similar to Figs. 6 and 7, with the exception that the 'parte are illustrated in the positions they assume when the operating lever of Fig. 1 is swung to the position indicated by the numeral 33. y

Fig; 10 is a top plan view of mechanism comprising a second embodiment of my invention as exposed to view by assuming the cutting of the -planular disc portion of the turntable from its.

pendant flange portion:

Fig. 11 is a view partially in side elevation and partially on a vertical plane of cross section taken on the line iI-il o! Fig.

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of certain mechanism of Fig. 10; A

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of vpart of the mechanism of Fig. 12: V.

Figs. 14. 15, 16, 1'? and 18 are elevational views partially in section of an adlustment mechanism associated with the idler wheel carrier of the em- -bodimentv of Figsrlo to 13 inclusive:

Figs. 19 and 20 are side elevational views of the idler and driving-roller of said second em.. bodiment in relatively dierent adjusted operative positions;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of apparatus comprised in a third embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 22 is a side elevational view of the idler wheel, carrier, carrier adjusting means 0f said Referring now to the drawings, and first, more particularly to Figs. l to 9 inclusive, illustrating a preferred form of my invention, the main supporting plate 5l is oi' sheet metal and a supplemental plate v52 pendantly supported from the main plate by three machine screws 33, thereby affording a three point suspension for the plate 52; the mounting screws 33 preferably do not make metallic contact with the plate 5I.

Fig. 5 indicates one of many ways of preventing such metallic contact, wherein the screw 83 is of relatively small diameter and at its lower end is provided with a clamp nut 33', and surrounded throughout most of its length by a tubular rubber sleeve 54, the plate 5i being clamped between upper'and lower peripheral flanges of said rubber sleeve, and the opening through said plate 6| for the screw 33 being suillciently large as not to make engagement with the metallic plate 5I.

' Such an arrangement is in accord with present l day common practice to prevent tonal vibrations y 'a smooth cylindrical inner surface 58 with which the rubber peripheral tread 60. of the idler wheel 6|, is frictionally engaged whereby rotation of the idler wheel may drive the turntable ata speed determined by the rate of rotation of said idler wheel. Y

The hub of the idler wheel 6|` is provided with a bearing sleeve 62 drive tted therein, said sleeve being journalled on an upright post 66 rigidly secured at its lower end to the yoke portion 64 of a U-shaped slide element, generally indicated at 10, said slide element having a pair of parallel arms-65 and 6 5' which make bearing tting en-- v gagement within slideways afforded by notches laterally directed inwardly from theends of the arms 66 and 66' of a mount element 61, inthev manner disclosed in the co-pending application v for patent of Herbert L. Hartman, Ser.

The oppositely extending pair ofrmouht arms 66 and the oppositely extending parallel arms 66', are relatively interspaced in the longitudinal direction of extent ci' the slide arms 66 and 65. and, with said slide arms disposed .within the slots oi said mount arms, the entire slide element 16, which, by its yoke, carries the idler wheel post 6B and idler wheel 6i, may be moved longitudinally of the arms guided by the above designated slideway. subject'to the restrictions imposed upon such movement by the tensilespring 68 and any engagement had by the periphery of the idler wheel 6i with the turntable ange 68 and also with the driving roller carried by the shaft 66 of the driving motor 1|.

The stepped driving roller may, if desired, be formed separately from the shaft 66, but preferably said roller is ailorded by providing the shalt with a reduced end 12 and a diameter increasing layer of tightly helically wound spring wire 13, said reduced end 12 affording a driving roller end portion oi leastdiameter, which is uppermost, and the outer surface of a closed helical coil of spring wire 13 which may be soldered onto the shaft 69 at a lower level,conveniently affords a vdriving roller portion of relatively greater diameter than does said reduced shaft end 69. The outervsurfaces of said end 12 and said coil 13, thus together provide a two-step driving roller.

The idler wheel mount 61 is provided with a hub`14, having a cylindrical bore, and is journalled upon a relatively longer upstanding post 16 by a bearing nt, to permit said mount hub to be rotationally and longitudinally reciprocated on said post 15. The lower portion of the post 15 is provided with an enlarged radial flange 15a and terminates in a reduced threaded end 15c which is extended through an aperture of Y.the sub-plate 52, whereby the post is rigidly secured by the nut 15d to said sub-plate.

The portion of the post 15, disposed between the sub-plate 52 and the post rlange 15a, is of such smaller diameter and of such length that it may loosely be projected through an aperture of the controlling lever 16, an intermediate portion of which is loosely disposed between said post flange and said sub-plate.

, For adjusting theidler wheel to its various adjusted positions, the hand lever 1s is superposed on the plate 52, being telescoped by its aperture 18, over the post 16, and a helical spring 11, also telescoped over the post 65, is compressively disposed between the upper surface of said y lever 16 and the portion of the underside of the mount 61 which borders said mounthub. Thev lever 16` is flat throughout most of its length -of the post 15vto present said free end in proximity to ,either of the indicia 16 or 33 placed upon a plate or other element mounted upon the phonograph cabinet, not shown in the present drawings.

The shorter arm of the lever 16 terminates in au upstanding flange 19 which is so cut as to provide a notch 6|- to afford three substantially` parallel edge Surfaces 8B, 81 and 88, the parallel surfaces 84 and 81 being more widely interspaced than the surfaces 84 and 88, there being also a diagonal edge portion 85 interconnecting the horizontal portions 81 and 88, said diagonal porg tions being disposed at preferably an angle of between 30 and 35 to the planes of the said horizontally extending, edges.

The angle of inclination of the edge 85 may', of course, be varied with corresponding variation 10 in the required amount of throw of the handle portion of the lever 16.

Disposed in cooperative position to the slot edges 81, 88 and 85. the first two of which provide land surfaces for the camming surface 35, is a cam follower in the form of a preferably cylindrical stem 86 which is preferably secured to and affords a rearward extension of the idler wheel mount 61, said stem 86 affording a cam follower adapted to be cammingly moved to dif- 2 ferent lateral positions and to different levels as a result of lateral translatory movements of the camming lever flange 19.

Rotational movement of the mount 61, about the post in the clockwise direction is opposed by the tension spring 68 which interconnects the free end of the slide 10 adjacent'the idler wheel post 63 and a fixed portion of the main frame 5I, shown at 68', in Fig. 1, said spring being so disposed as to constantly exert a pull upon the mount 61 tending to rotate it in the counterclockwise direction.

The operation of the change speed adjusted mechanism of the rst embodiment of my invention, disclosed in the above described Figs. 1 to 7 35 inclusive will now proceed, first, by describing the operation of the turntable driving mechanism with the parts in the assumed initial position, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, wherein the mount stem 86 is in engagement with the lower 40 land edge surface 88, and the lever handle 89 is at the position indicated by the `lindicia 78 on the plate 90 in Fig. 1, and the rubber tread periphery 60 of the idler wheel 6I is in simultaneous engagement with the inner surface of the turntable flange 58 and the outer surface of the larger step 13 of the stepped motor shaft roller, and 'with said wheel constrained to such engagement by the retractive effort of the spring 68.

Consequently, the motor being operated in any usual manner, the driving roller step 13, which is frictionally engaged with the tread 60 of the idler wheel, will rotate the idler wheel in the clockwise direction of the arrow, shown on said wheel in Fig. 1, and consequently, by virtue of the engagement between the idler wheel tread and the inner surface 59 of the turntable flange, the turntable 56 will also be rotated in a clockwise direction at a -speed which, for instance, may be 78 R. P. M. 60 or other relatively high speed, which is pre-determined by the speed of the motor and the diameter of the larger driving roller step 13.

When the idler wheel is then adjusted, by moving the lever 16 to-place its handle 89 adjacent 65 the indicia 33, Fig. l, by virtue of the operation of the camming elements associated with the upstanding flange of said lever, as later described, the idler wheel is positioned, asI illustrated in Fig. 9, with the peripheral rubber tread 68 of the 70 idler wheel in engagement with the smaller step 12 of the driving roller, to rotate the idler wheel and the idler-engaged turntable 58 in the same clockwise direction as before, but at a much lower speed, such as 35 R.. P. M. which lower speed is in 75 6 proportion to the smaller diameter of the roller step 12, relative to that of the larger roller 18.

The apparatus comprising the flange cam 14 and cam follower 86, with the other ancillary cooperative elements, whereby the idler wheel is adjusted from either of the above operative positions to the alternate position, will now be vdescribed.

When the parts are in the high speed driving position, as shown in Figs. l, 2, 3 and 5, should the operator move the handle 89 of the controlling lever 16 in the counterclockwise direction, as illustrated in Fig. 1, by virtue oi the upward pressure exerted by the compression spring 11 against the underside of the idler carrier mount 61, the lever flange 18 will be moved successively from the position shown in Fig. 3 through the position shown in Fig. '1, and ultimately, to the position shown in Fig. 9.

Such counterclockwise movement of the lever flange 19 about the axis of the post 15 will permit y the mount stem 86 to pass from under the lower straight edge land surface 88 and by virtue of upward pressure exerted upon the mount by the 5 spring 11, to be lifted upwardly along the diagonal camming surface 85 to engagement with the upper land surface 81, as shown in Fig. 9.

During this counterclockwise adjustment movement of the lever 16, and its cam flange 19, the idler wheel 6l and the mount stem 86 will pass through an intermediate position illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, which show that the lateral inclination of the camming edge 85, and the upward pressure exerted upon the mount 61 by the spring 11, is effective to cause the idler wheel periphery to momentarily move laterally outwardly from engagement with the larger driving roller step 13, while said mount and wheel are rapidly ascending to their maximum altitude as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9; the lever and its cam flange 19 meanwhile is swung to the positions of Figs. 8 and 9, and such positions of the lever 16 is shown by dotted lines, in Fig. 1.

The final continuing counterclockwise adjusting movement of the lever handle portion 89 towards the indicia 33, thus causes the diagonal cam surface 85 to move towards the right, as viewed in Figs.y '1 and 9, and thereby permits the mount stem 86 to continue its rising movement in a vertical direction, being guided by lateral engagement of said stem with the cam 85 until all parts of the idler wheel periphery have been elevated to the level of the uppermost and smaller roller step 12.

When the cam flange 19 has moved nearly to the approximate position shown in Fig. 9, wherein the idler wheel 6i is at the level of the uppermost roller step 12, in engagement with the land surface 81, continuing movement of the lever flange 19 causes the stem 86 to be engaged by and to be moved by the end edge surface 83 of the earn notch 8|,` to swing the mount 61 Iin a counterclockwise direction whereupon the periphery of the idler wheel will be moved inwardly to engage the small step 12 of the driving roller, as shown in Fig. 8.

It is to be understood throughout the foregoing description that Figs. 6 and '1 show the same intermediate adjusted position of the parts, and that Figs. 8 and 9 alike illustrate a different further adjusted position of said parts, during the period when the lever 16 is being swung fromthe 78" indicated position toward the 33 indicated position. l

With the parts in their ilnal adjusted position,

lateral pulling components of the force exercised `by the spring 68 will, at all times, be suillcient to maintain the periphery of the idler wheel in engagement both with the inner surface of the turntable flange, and the lateral surface of the 4, `smaller step 12.

From the foregoing description; the reverse ad- Justment operation will be readily understood, such adjustment being effected by moving the handle v89 of the lever 16 in the clockwise direcengagement with the mount stem 86 and thusexert a lateral and downward thrust on the mount stem 86, and the lateral component of such thrust will swing the mount 61 sufficiently to position the peripheral tread of the idler wheel 6I laterally beyond the periphery of the larger driving roller step 13, and then, the spring 68 increasingly resisting such swinging movement of the mount, the camming surface 85 will become more responsive to the vertical component of camming effect to force the mount stem 83 downwardly until the stem can pass laterally 4along the curved portion of the diagona1 edge surface and into sliding engagement with the continuing horizontal lower surface 88.

Thus the stem 86 will move laterally along the surface 88 under the inducing pressure of the tensile spring 68, whereupon the tread of the idler wheel having previously been lowered to the level of the larger driving roller 13, will be resiliently pressed inwardly in a horizontal direction to engagement with said larger driving roller surface.

It will thus be seen that, by the instrumentalities comprising the notched lever flange 19, the stem 86, and the springs 11 and 68, by a simple uniform movement of the lever handle 89, the idler whee1 is moved from engagement with a precedently engaged roller step disposed at one level and moved vertically upwardly to the level of the alternate roller step, whereupon it is moved horizontally inwardly to engage said alternate driving roller step.

In the above description, the relationship between the restraint exerted upon the idler wheel mount 61 by the tensile spring 68, is so related to the upward pressure exerted upon the mount by the compression spring 11, and to the degree of inclination of portions of the flange camming edge 85 as to preferably cause a lateral separation of the idler wheel periphery from the lateral surface of the larger step 13 during, and responsive to, swinging adjustment movements of the lever 16.

However, the relative power of the two springs and the inclination of portions of the camming edge surface 85 may be variedto accomplish the desired adjustment of the wheel periphery from engagement with the larger driving roller step to engagement with the smaller step while maintaining said wheel periphery in light pressure engagement with the lateral surface of the larger step until it has moved to the level of the smaller step.

Such change in operative adjustment of the springs and in inclination of camming edge portions is within the scope of the present invention and contemplated hereby; however, I prefer the described adjustment of said springs and the shown inclination of the camming surface to eect lateral separation of the idler periphery from the llarge roller step prior to lifting the idler wheel to the level of the smaller step.

In the second embodiment of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 10 to 20, inclusive, the operative parts comprise a main plate I, a supplemental plate 30, a turntable post 2a, with the turntable 2 having similar pendant flange 2b,

motor 9, motor shaft 8, the step driving roller 3 having relatively large and small steps 6 and '5 respectively,`idler wheel 4 carried lon a slide I5, said slide being longitudinally reciprocable in the mount I2 which, in turn, is journalled for reciprocatory swinging movements on a post I0, all in a manner similar to that of the previously described flrst embodiment, and with the supplemental plate suspended from the main plate by grommets comprising rubber cushioning elements 34, substantially as in the said first embodiment.

Figs. 10, 11, 14, 16, 17 and 19 show related parts in the position assumed for high speed driving of the turntable, wherein the idler wheel is ad- Justed to its lowermost position, for peripheral engagement with the lower and larger roller step 5 of the stepped roller, said roller being ilxedly secured on the motor shaft 8.

Conversely, to achieve peripheral engagement between the smaller and uppermost step 6 of the driving roller and the periphery of the idler wheel 4, for driving the turntable at the lower speed, reference should be made to Figs. 12, l5, 19 and 20, wherein the illustrated parts are shown in the appropriate alternative position to effect driving of the turntable at the lower speed.

The slide arms I5a and I5b are tted into lateral slots I3 of the side flanges AI2b of the mount I2 whereby said slide may be endwise longitudinally reciprocated on the mount I5 which supports it', a pin I4 in the free end of one of the arms, such` as I5b, being provided to prevent the slide from being moved outwardly from the mount beyond a predetermined range of outward movement.

'I'he idler wheel I3, being journalled on the post I6, as vbest shown in Fig. 17, a cylindrical bearing sleeve I6a is preferably interposed between the hub 4b of the idler wheel and said post I6 and a thrust bearing washer I6b is preferably provided between the lower end of the wheel hub and the supporting portion of the slide I6.

In said second embodiment, a cylindrical roller I1 which affords a cam-follower for the mount I2 is preferably journalled on a pin I8 secured at one end to a rearmost end of said mount, and an outermost pin head I8 retains the roller I1 on the pin.

The roller l1 is adapted to be cammed upwardly and subsequently lowered by the effect of reciprocatory movement of a cam 2|, carried by the manually operable lever arm I9 whereby the entire mount and slide assembly, together with the wheel 4, is adjusted to the desired upper or lower position.

The lever is provided with a handle 20 at itsl upper surface of the mount i2 bordering the hub` il, a helical spring se is interposed under com-` pressive stress. Thehub il of the carrier l2 is adapted to be moved upwardly on the bearing sleeve il against the pressure of the spring 3d to an uppermost position, as illustrated in Fig. 13, and, in the alternate position, is adapted to rest upon the upper surface portion of the levez` it which borders the bearing sleeve di.

As in the previously described embodiment, the

mount and slide assembly lf-iti is constantly biased in the counterclockwise swinging direction and tends to swing the slide carried ilder wheel to resiliently maintain peripheral engagement with one or the other driving roller steps 5 and t disposed at the level to which the tread of the idler wheel 4 is at the time.

The presently described embodiment is largely distinguished from the described lrst embodiment by the fact that the compression spring 34, in the present embodiment, constantly exerts a downward thrust upon the upper side of the mount i2, instead of an upwardly directed thrust and, by virtue of this factl the cam 2| is so formed and disposed as to lift the mount against the pressure of said spring 34 when the idler wheel is to be lifted from the level of the larger and lower driving roller step l, as viewed in Fig. 19, to the level of the uppermost roller step 8, as viewed in Fig. 20.

Although the disclosure of the first described embodiment contemplates such reversed position of and direction of pressure exerted by the compression spring, which would necessitate an inverting of the cam element 19 together with other obvious changes, I have chosen, in this second embodiment, to employ a cam element 2| oi somewhat different form than that shown at 19 in the first described embodiment. Therefore, in the presently described embodiment, the cam element 2| is an extension of the rear end |99 of the hand lever I9 and is in the form of a sheet metal strip suitably bent at two intermediate portions of its length to provide the differently directed portions 40a, 40h and 40e, the portion 40a comprising the camming portion and being of the nature of an upstanding flange of said lever portion |99.

Figs. 12, 15 and 16 best show the camming element 2|, Fig. 12 showing, by dotted lines, the position of the camming element, as illustrated in side elevational view in Fig. 16, and Fig. 15 being a side elevational view of the camming element in the solid line position of Fig. 12.

With the apparatus of Figs. 10 to 20 inclusive in vthe initial adjusted position wherein the periphery of the idler roller 4 is resiliently pressed into lateral engagement with the lowermost larger step 5 of the motor roller 3 by the effect of the spring 42, said idler being concurrently pressed by the same spring to engagement with the inner annular surface of the pendant flange 2 of the turntable, the cooperative operation of the various parts resulting from a movement of the lever I8 from such position, indicated by isolid `lines in Fig. 10, will now be described.

The handle 20 being swung in the counterclockwise direction from the solid line position to the dotted line position of Fig. 10 will swing said lever over the indicated angle of swing to move the cam extension 2| of said lever from the solid line position to the dotted line position of said figure.

The resulting movement of the cammina surface 2 in with reference to the cam follower roller il is indicated by the terminal positions oi' said cam follower and its supporting mount, as-shown in Figs. 16 and 15.

Fig. 16 shows the initial position with the roller resting upon a relatively lower portion M of the cam surface 2in, this view illustrating the relative positions of the cam, follower and mount when the idler wheel d is in engagement with the lower and larger step Ei of the roller 3, as shown in Pigsl 1, 11, 14, 17 and 19. l

Movement of the cam 2| in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l0, will cause the cam surface 2| to movetowards the right, as viewed in Fig. 16, and such movement will cause the cam follower to rise until ultimately it passes over the crest of said cam surface, subsequently reaching the uppermost position illustrated in Fig. 15 wherein it is shown seated in the notch seat 2|! on the upper edge portion of said cam element.

Such elevation of the cam follower |.1 together with the mount i 2 against the opposing pressure of the compression spring 24 elevates the idler wheel 4 from the lowermost position, as illustrated in Figs. ll, 14, 17and 19, to its uppermost position, as illustrated in Figs. 18 and 20.

`Coneurrently. as the idler wheel 4 is being elevated above the level of the uppermost step surface at the end of the larger roller step 5, the spring 42 will swing the mount 2 about the post I0 and such swinging movement will permit the spring 42 to press the idler wheel inwardly of the perlphery'of the larger roller step 5 and into engagement with the uppermost step B.

Meanwhile the spring 42 will resiliently maintain the slide i5 in such relatively longitudinal extended position, with respect to the mount I2, as required to maintain the periphery of the idler wheel pressed in engagement with the inner 'surface of the turntable flange 2. I

All operative outward movements of the slide ib will be effected without engagement of the pin placement of the turntable.

The motor 9, being energized, will now frictionally drive the idler wheel by the effect of the spring pressed engagement of the Wheel tread with the uppermost small step 8 during all times that the handle 20 of the controller lever I9. is in the dotted line position of Fig. 10. 'When the operator desires to again drive the turntable at the higher speed of 78 R. P. M., instead of the low speed of 35 R. P. M., the handle 20 of the lever I9 will then be manually swung clockwise to the indicated position '78" of Fig. 1.

Such swinging of said controller lever will, of course. move the cam 2|, which has supported the mount by the cam follower I1 resting upon the uppermost notch 2U, towards the left, as`

viewed in Fig. 15, and such amount of movement ofthe lever i9 as will cause the cam follower to engage the upper end portion of the cam surwardly beyond the periphery of the larger and lowermost step of the driving roller 8. while still maintaining the wheel d above the upper surface of the larger lower step 8.

Further movement of the lever I8 in the clockwise direction will then move the inclined cam surface 2|n towards the left. as viewed in Figs. 15 and 18. so that the spring, surrounding the post l0. will press the mount, which carries the cam follower 1, downwardly with the cam follower rolier rolling on said cam surface Mn during such descent and the end edge 2 la: of the cam element 2| which. during this period, remains pressed against the slide I8, having a smooth vertical surface. oiiers little resistance to the said downward movement of the mount.

After swinging the lever I0 in the slot V68 in the clockwise direction to the limit of said slot, the release of said handle will permit the spring 42 to retractively swing the slide. mount and idler wheel in the counterclockwise direction whereupon the idler wheel I will .be pressed into engagement with the ,large step 8 of the driving roller 3. and such movement of the slide will push the lever end 2|:v to retractively swing the lever 2| from its previous more fully advanced posi tion.

To facilitate upward and inward movement of the tread oi' the idler wheel over the upperedge corner of the largeI roller step 0 when shifting from a high speed adjustment to a low speed adjustment, the upper edge corners of said large step are rounded.' and also the rubber tread 4' of the idler wheel is s o formed as, to afford rounded tread surfaces. as indicated at I', as illustrated, and the shifting of the idler tread over such rounded edge is further facilitated by making the shift during a period when the motor is being operated.

Referring now to the third embodiment of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 21, 22. 23 and 24, in view of the complete disclosure of similar parts illustrated in the foregoing embodiments duplicated herein, no showing is made in the above figures of many of such similar parts.

'Ihe hand lever |18 corresponding to the hand levers of the preceding embodiments is adapted to be swung in either direction, as indicated by` the arrows |83 in Fig. 21. In this embodiment'. however, the mount |81 is not provided with any corresponding lifting or lowering spring, such as the spring 11 of the first embodiment which exerts an upward resilient effort upon the slide carried by the idler wheel mount, or the spring 84 of the second embodiment, which exercises a similar but downward effort upon said mount.

A cam afforded by a sinuous slot |18 through a side wall of the mount hub |14 aifords two parallel border edge camming surfaces between which a camming element in th form of an elongated circular head |88' of a cam pin or machine screw |88 is disposed. the threaded stem end of said screw being rigidly secured within a threaded recess of a tubular extension |84 of the hand lever |18whereby said head |88' assassin' l2 in effect becomes a cam and the mount hwb |18 l'becomesacam follower.

A fragment only of the operating adjustment lever in this embodiment is shown at |18 and oscillatory swinging thereof is effective to rotatively oscillate the cylindrical post I8! together with the cam pin |88 which aiords a cylindrical cam end surface portion |818',

The shape of the arcuate slot |18 and its two opposed camming surfaces |154 and |151) is preferably the same as that afforded by the di agonal camming edge 80 and terminal lands 81 and 88 of the above described first embodiment, and thedrawings are intended to so illustrate the same. l

A helical tension spring |68 corresponding to the spring 88 of the ilrst embodiment is also employed in the embodiment of Figs. 8, 9 and 10 together with a corresponding two step driving roller having a lower step |18 of larger diameter and a step |12 of smaller diameter.

The apparatus of the third embodiment will be readily understood from the foregoing description of the other embodiments, in view of the following narrative whichis specific to the apparatus and mode of operation thereof.

Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate the idler wheel in one alternative adjusted operative position wherein the tread |80 of the idler wheel is resiliently maintained by the spring |88 in engagement with the uppermost smaller step |12 of the motor shaft driving roller which also is provided with a larger step |13.

Swinging of the controller arm |18 inthe direction of the lowermost arm -of Fig. 21 will arcuately move the cam pin |86 towards the left, as shown in Fig. 21, until said cam surface |88' engages the upwardly inclined portion of the lowermost camming edge surface |10a ofthe slot |18 and the lateral component of the thrust exerted bysaid cam against such inclined surface is at the'time predominant, the spring |88 being sufilolently weak, the mount |81 journalled on the tube will be swung in a horizontal plane until the resistance by the spring |68 becomes substantially more resistant to such swinging.

At such time, the swinging movement of the mount will have caused the idler wheel tread to be moved outwardly from the small roller step |12 beyond the peripheral extent of the large roller step |13.,` When the spring |88 has suiliciently increased its resistance, further outward lateral swinging movement of the mount and idler wheel is prevented,` and the vertical component of thev pressure exerted by the cam pin |88 against the cam follower surface |15a will then cause the mount hub |14 to be cammed downwardly and the Wheel |8| will concurrently- At such time, during the final swinging moven ment of the lever |18, the cam |86' will be at the entrance of the vhorizontal upper portion i15c of the cam follower slot |15 whereupon the spring |68 will become effective to retractively swing the wheel-carrying slide |10 in such di-` rection as to cause the peripheral tread of the wheel to be moved into spring pressed lateral engagement with the outer surface of the step |13 of the driving roller.

The apparatus now being operative to drive the idler wheel by the larger driving roller step and thus transmit driving torque from the wheel tread to the turntable. the opposite adjustment will now be described.

16 The lever |18 being horizontally moved in the A the cam pin Il'carried by the tube till, will be swung from the 'end portion lllc of the slot |15 to cause its cam portion ill' to engage the uppermost cam follower surface Ilib of said cam slot. i

When the cam surface Ill' makes'engagement with the downwardly inclined portion of said surface i'IIb. a horizontal component of the pressure exerted between said cam and inclined follower surface will tend to move the wheel more l tightly against the larger step |18, but substantial swinging movement of the wheel being so prevented. the vertical component of the cam pressure will be effective to elevate the wheel until it has risen above the upper portion of the large roller |13 and is disposed at the level of the lower portion of the upper smaller step lll.

The spring I 08 then assists the cam pin IIB in bringing the wheel i60 into engagement with the upper smaller step. the cam pin |88 finally coming to rest in the horizontal end portion i'lId of the cam slot whereupon the parts become. fully restored to the illustrated positions of Figs. 2i and 22.

The relative positioning of the turntable flange between which and the driving roller i12-lli; the idler wheel IBI is interposed, is the same as in the other embodiments, and reference to the drawings thereof will convey a complete understanding thereof.

Having described my invention in three diiferent embodiments. I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made from the illustrated embodiments including variously combining different features of the said different embodiments but without departing from the spirit of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: f

1.` The combination with a peripherally flanged phonographic turntable and a motor disposed therebelow, said motor provided with an upwardly directed power shaft upwardly formed to provide two superposed steps of different diameters disposed within the vertical limits of said flange. an idler friction wheel adapted for horizontal floating movement s and vertical adjustment movements, spring means biasing said wheel horizontally towards said shaft steps and said flange, a manually operableadjustment device comprising a movable controller adjustably movable in a non-stepped path between two extreme adjustment positions, camming mechanism comprising a cam and a cam followenlsaid cam movternate adjustment position adapted to cammingable responsive to movement of said controller from an initial to an alternate adjustment pesition and adapted to cammingly adjustably move said cam follower so as to cause it to successively sponsive to the retractive effect of said spring means.

2. The combination with a phonographic turntable and a motor disposed therebelow. said mo tor provided with a power shaft comprising two axially aligned adjacent driving step portions of diiferent diameters, a friction idler wheel, said turntable affording an annular driving surface ,ssasos Y having l. width which is at least double the Width of a peripheral portion of said wheel. said shaft .portions and a portion being interspaced a distancemhich is less than of vsaid driving surface the diameter of'said wheel. springmeansto alternately adjust said wheel 'for simultaneous frictional peripheral engagementwith said "annular surface and either of said peripheral driv ixg step portions. a manually operable adjustment device comprising a movable controller adjustably movable in a non-stepped path b'etween' two extreme adJustment positions. camming mechanism comprising a cam and a cam follower. said cam movable responsive to movement of said controller from an initial to the ally adiustably move said cam follower 'so as'to cause it to successively move said wheel from f said alternate step and with said annular sur-A face of the turntable responsive to the retractive effect of said spring means.- Y

3. In a friction drive for Phonographic turntables of the type comprising a'horizontally disposed idler wheel interposed between and pe` ripherally engaged with a motor shaft driving roller and an annular surface portion ofl said turntable, a spring for resiliently maintaining said engagement, and a' mount carrying said wheel nearest one end and '.'being pivoted for swinging movement nearest the other end. said spring resiliently constraining the wheel carrying'endof said mount toward one swinging direction. the combination with said wheel, spring, mount, roller and flange with said roller characterized by having two relatively stepped. axially aligned, friction driving roller portions of different diameters, a manually operable change speedcontroller comprising a handle alternately movable between limits in opposite directions in a' path of substantially uniformly like nature, a pair of respectively cam and cam follower elements, one of said elements being movable in opposite directions responsive to corresponding movements of said handle and the other element adapted to be cammingly moved responsive toV movement of the first element, said latter element adapted to communicate movement to said mount to displace said Wheel from engagement with a pre-engaged roller step and to effect movement of said wheel to the plane of the other roller step and said camming mechanism comprising means adapted to effect release of said wheel at said plane to permit said spring to retractively eil'ect engagement of said wheel with said other roller step.

4. The friction drive substantially as set forth in claim 3 characterized by 4one of the elements of said camming mechanisms being provided with a surface having an intermediate inclined portion and substantially parallel end portions, and the other element thereof comprising a part adapted to relatively traverse the said surfaces of the first element.

5. The friction drive substantially as setforth in claim 3 characterized by the provision of means resiliently biasing said mount to position said wheel towards the plane of one of said roller steps and said camming mechanism when operated by movementiimparted thereto by said controller handle moved in one direction to cammingly so displace said `mount as to `position said wheel in the plane of the other roller step.

6. The combination with a phonographic turntable and a motor disposed therebelow, said motor provided with a motor shaft formed to provide two relatively axially aligned steps of different diameters, an idler friction `wheel adapted for disposition between an annular `surface of said turntable and alternatelylwith one or the other of said stepstsprin'g means biasing said wheel towards said shaft steps and said annular surface, a manually operable adjustment device comprising a movable controller adjustably movable in a non-stepped path between two extreme adjustment positions, camming mechanism comprising a cam and a cam follower, said cam movable responsive to movement of said controller from an initial to an alternate adjustment position and adapted to cammingly adjustably move said cam follower so as to cause it to successively move said wheel from engagement with a preengaged shaft step, and to shift it to the plane of the alternate step, said mechanism including means operative responsive to a nal portion of said adjustment movement of said controller adapted to free said wheel to permit movement thereof inwardly towards, and to effect peripheral frictional engagement thereof with said alternate step, responsive to the retractive effect of said spring means. A

7. In a friction drive for phonograph turntables of the type provided with a motor having a stepped shaft provided with a pair of axially aligned driving steps of relatively different diameters, a friction wheel rotatable on an axisv parallel to the shaft axis and in peripheral engagement with the-turntable, and mounted for movement for interchangeable engagement with any one of said steps, spring means for resiliently biasing said wheel laterally towards said stepped shaft, the combination with the above recited friction drive parts of a controller of mechanism comprising a manually operable ccntrol member, relatively interengaging cam and cam follower elements movable in opposite directions in a substantially non-stepped path, said follower element associated and movable with said wheel and said cam element and movable with said member, said elements having inter' engaging camming surfaces being correlatively so formed as to cause said cam when moved by said member to communicate a lateral component of camming thrust upon said follower for moving said wheel in such a direction at right angles to' its axis as to disengage its periphery in opposition to the pressure of said spring from a preengaged shaft step and anot'ier component of thrust effective to move said wheel axially in such direction as to shift its periphery to the plane of an alternate step, and the portion of said cam and follower surfaces which are in relative engagementv at the time said wheel is shifted to said planel comprising a land of one of said elements effective -to maintain said wheel in said plane and being ineffective to oppose the retractive effort of said spring whereby said -wheel is moved by said spring into engagement with said alternate step.

8. 'Ihe combination with a peripherally flanged phonographic turntable and a motor disposed therebelow, said motor provided Iwith an upwardly directed power shaft upwardly formed to provide two superposed steps of different diameters disposed within the verticallimits of said.v v flange, an idler friction wheel adapted' forhorizontal floating movements and' vertical adjusting movements, spring meansvbiasing'said wheel horizontally towards said shaft steps and said flange, a manually operable adjustment device comprising a movable controllerv arcuately adjustably movable between v two extremeadjustment positions,camming mechanism comprising a camming element alternately movable by said controller in alternate horizontal directions and a second cam follower element interconnected with said wheel, the first recited element comprising a cam surface extending diagonally upwardly and laterally, said second element adapti ed for engagement with the first element and to be cammingly actuatabie by the lateral component of thrust afforded by movement of said inclined cam surface of said first element against said second element -to first laterally move said Wheel out of engagement with a pre-,engaged shaft step, and means affording an obstruction to further movement of said wheel adapted to effect elevation of said IWheel to the level of the alternate step in response to the vertical component means.

9. The combination with a peripherally flanged phonographic turntable fand a motor disposed therebelow, said motor provided with an upwardly directed power shaft upwardly formed to provide two superposed steps of different diameters disposed Within the vertical limits of said flange, an idler friction wheel, a carrier for said wheel adapted for horizontal floating-movements and vertical adjusting movements, spring means biasing said carrier to tend to move said wheel horizontally towards said shaft steps and said flange, a manually operable adjustment device comprising a movable controller arcuately adjustably movable between two extreme adjustment positions, camming mechanism comprising an element alternately movable by said controller in alternate horizontal directions and a second element interconnected with said carrier and cammingly actuatable by said first element to successively laterally move said wheel out of engagement with a pre-engaged shaft step, and then to move said wheel to the level ofthe alternate step, and then to move said wheel to the level of the alternate step, and vmeans operative responsive to a final portion of said adjustive movement of said controller adapted to free said carrier to enable said spring means to effect free unrestrained movement of said wheel horizontally inwardlyV to make peripheral frictional engagement with said alternate step. y

10. The combination of elements substantially as set forth in claim 9 characterised by one of the elements of said cam mechanisms having an upwardly and laterally inclined cam surface disposed for interengagement with the other element thereof and by the provision of a second spring means biasing said carrier towards one of thelalternate levels to which said carrier is adjustable.

11. In a phonograph turntable driving mechanism the combination with said turntable the said other roller step.

assaaos formedto provide an annular friction surface, a motor having a driving shaft provided with superposed axially aligned steps of differing diameters, a friction wheel, a shiftable mount for said wheel adapted for movement in both of two rectilinearly different directions, spring means resiliently biasing said wheel and mount towards a normal position wherein different portions of its periphery are in simultaneous engagement with said turntable surface and that one 'of said shaft steps which at the time is disposed at the level of the wheel periphery, a manually adjustable lever movable in apath of uniform like nature in both directions, camming mechanism comprising interengaged cam and cam follower elements, one

mount and the other said element being movable by said lever. said elements being relatively so formed and interengageable as to translate a uniform swinging movement vof said handle moved element into successive horizontal and vvertical movements of said mount when saidv handle is moved in one of two alternate direc"- tions of movement, to successively swing said mount horizontally to remove the wheel periphery from engagement with a pre-engaged shaft step, and to move said mount vertically to shift said wheel periphery to the level of the alternate wheel step, and thereafter to release said mount for horizontal movement induced by said spring means to engage said wheel periphery with said alternate ,shaft step.

alternatively movable in opposite directions ina path of uniformly like nature to shift said element' from one to another of two laterally disposed positions, said element comprising a cam surface inclined laterally and upwardly from a one end portion to the other end portion and said end' portions affording substantially relatively continuing horizontal land surfaces for said cam surface and said land surfaces being relatively laterally and vertically interspaced, a ca/m follower secured to said mount and engageable with said cam and land surfaces,`said element when moved by said handle in either direction adapted to effect camming of said follower from one land surface to the other land surfaceto successively swing said mounted idler Wheel from engagement with a pre-engaged' roller step and said other land surface adaptedto lrelease said wheel at the new level to permit said spring to' retractively effect engagement of said wheel with 13. In a friction drive for phonograph`turntables, a motor, a motor shaft provided with'a pairl'of axially aligned driving steps of different o f said elements' comprising an element of said 18 a diameters, a friction wheel in peripheral engagement with the turntable, raid turntable shaft and wheel rotatable on parallel axes, a movable mount for said wheel, spring means biasing said wheel to resiliently press the periphery of the wheel laterally towardssaid shaft, a hand lever adapted to be swung between a pair of spaced limits and means comprising a cam for effecting communication of motion from said lever to said wheel toeifect vertical and horizontal moving efforts uponv said wheel whereby swinging movement of said lever in one direction is effective to move said wheel periphery from engagement with the smaller of said steps laterally beyond the peripheral limits of the larger step and subsequently to move it vertically into,

and to maintain itin, the plane of the larger step against the opposing pressure of said spring and resilient retractive means constantly resiliently biasing said wheel laterally towards said shaft for effecting peripheral engagement of said wheel with the larger step subsequent to movement of said wheel to the plane thereof.

14. In a friction drive for phonograph turntables, a. motor,a motor shaft provided with a pair of axially aligned driving steps of different diameters, a friction wheel in peripheral engagement with the turntable, said turntable shaft and wheel rotatable on parallel axes, a movable mount for said wheel, a spring constantly reslliently. biasing said wheel vertically towards the plane of the smaller step, a hand lever adapted to' be swung between a pair 'offspaced limits and means comprising a. cam for effecting communication of motion from said lever to said wheel to effect vertical and horizontal moving efforts upon said wheel whereby swinging movement of said lever in one direction is eiective to so move said mount as to remove said wheel periphery from engagement with the smaller of said steps laterally beyond the peripheral limits of the larger step andsubsequently to move it vertically into, and to maintain it in, the plane of the larger step, resilient retractive means constantly resiliently biasing said wheel laterally towards said shaft for effecting peripheral engagement of said wheel with the larger'step subsequentto movement of said wheel to the plane thereof, and means comprising said spring adapted whensaid'han'd lever is swung in the opposite direction to permit said spring to retractively move said wheel in a vertical direction to restore it to the plane of the smaller step and said lever being effective for the continued movement thereof to release said wheel for movement responsive to the retractive effect of said retractive means in the lateral direction to effect peripheral engagement of saidf wheel withl said smaller stepf;

ROBERT G. ME'rzNER.

,-, REFERENCES rcrrnn The following references are of recordL in the ille of this patent: 

